Improvement in seal-locks



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Seal-Locks;k

INVENTOR wnusssfs kiem@ lille 3 3, Fig. l.

UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN W. BROOKS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEAL-LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 151,74 7, dated June .9, 1874; application led v January 15, 1874.

CASE E.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN W. BRooKs, of the city, county, and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Seal-Locks, of which the following is a specication:

Myinvention relates to alock consisting of a shackle sliding within a case or frame, and secured bya spring-catch protected by a seal, so that the seal must be broken and destroyed before access can be had to the catch to open the lock, or so that the lock cannot be opened without defacing the sealk My improvements consist, first, in providing the sliding shackle with a hinged or folding latch that slides within the frame, and serves to hold and retain a seal of paper or other flexible material, which may be used either alone, or in addition to a seal of rigid frangible material, such as glass, the said latch rendering it impossible to remove the paper seal without destroying it. My improvement consists, second, in combining, with the frame of the lock, and with the aforesaid sliding shackle and folding latch, to hold the paper seal, a hinged knife, to deface the paper seal, when so held, at the opening or return movementofthe sliding shackle, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is i a front elevation of a lock, illustrating my invention in its closed condition. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sliding shackle detached from the frame or body of the lock, and without the paper seal. Fig. 5 isa sectional perspective view of a part of the shackle-shank with the paper seal in position.

A represents the sliding shackle of what is known as a P-lock. B is the lock body or frame, in which the said shackle slides. The extremity of the bow A of the shackle is received in a socket, b', at the end of the arm B ofthe frame, in the customary manner. 'C is a U-shaped latch, hinged at c to the sides of the shackle,'and fitting, at its free end, within a recess, d, in the shackle,

so that it may shut ilush with the face of the latter. e is a notch or recess near the hinge of the latch, to secure the end of a paper seal, E.

The latch is raised to about right angles4 with the shank of the shackle, for the iirst insertion ofthe seal, and is then closed down on the latter, presenting a smooth and even surface, so that the shackle may slide freely into the body or frame of the lock.

F is a spring-catch, employed to lock the shackle in its closed position. This catch consists of a pin thrown out by a spiral or other spring, g, resting against a collar, h, on the pin, which also limits the outward movement thereof. rlhe projecting end t' of the pin is made ilaring from the collar h toy the extremity, and iits within a corresponding flaring hole, j, in the lshackleshank, so that it is impossible to retract thepin by concussion while pressing out the shackle.

It will be observed that the paper seal completely protects and covers the catch, so that access thereto cannot be'had without piercing the seal.

The shackle-shank may also be iitted to receivea Brooks glass seal, S, for additional security.

When the seal is broken the catch is pushed back with a stout wire, or any pointed instru ment, to release the shackle. Y

K represents a knife, pivoted byits upper end in or within the lock-frame, and pressed by a light spring toward the face of the shackle.

Theposition and construction of this knife, as shown in Fig. 2, cause it to permit the movement of the paper seal beneath it without injury to said seal while the shackle is sliding in; but when (the spring-catch having been pressed back) the shackle is slipped out, the point of the knife catches and cuts the paper seal, so as to entirely destroy the same, and prevent its use a second time'.

The following is claimed as new:

l. The latch C, hinged to the sliding shackle, and employed to retain a flexible seal,

fz I Y 151,747

and sliding within the freine B, in manner sub- In testimony of which invention I haiveherestentieily as described. unto set my hand Jc-his 10th dey of January,

2. The combination of the hinged knife 1874.

K with the frame B, sliding shackle A, and FRANKLN W. BROOKS.

hinged latch G, the latter serving to hold the Witnesses:

paper seni against the action of the knife, all OCTAVIUS KNIGHT,

as herein explained. WALTER ALLEN. 

